Blog Post

How to Get the Best Christmas Lights on the Block

by Staff Writers

Tis the season to be merry and bright! And nothing’s better than a brightly lit house at Christmas- no matter where you live: Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina. If you’re ready to wow your neighbors and bring spectators to your street this holiday season, then start untangling the cords and dust off your 15-foot inflatable Santa now because chances are someone has already beat you to the decorating punch. Just remember, a little friendly competition never hurt anyone, especially in the name of Christmas! Here are a few tips on how to get the best Christmas lights on the block.

If you want to dazzle your neighbors with an elaborate light display, you may want to consider calling in the professionals to do it for you. Even if you have a one-story house or an easily accessible rooftop, you may not be equipped or physically capable of putting up lights on your own. The best part of hiring professionals is that you won’t have to worry about risking a serious injury or sorting through tangled cords. When looking for professional Christmas light installation and decorating services in your area, ask for photos of past displays and choose one that gives you the most bling, err, bang for your buck.

Starting early is the key to getting the best lights on the block. Depending on how ornate you want your display to be, you should start well before Thanksgiving. You don’t necessarily have to light up your house before the holiday season, but you should start planning your display and decorating months before Christmas. This will also give you time to buy extra lights, lawn decorations, and tools before the stores run out in December.

If you really want to wow your neighbors, then you should add music to your Christmas light display. But, before you start blaring Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Wizards in Winter” or Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and annoy everyone on your street, do some research on alternative radio technology, like installing radio transmitters that will play music in the cars of spectators rather than using outdoor speakers. This will keep visitors happy and hopefully avoid any noise complaints from neighbors.

One thing Clark Griswold taught us besides the importance of a Christmas bonus is to get a safe, sturdy ladder before you start hanging Christmas lights. As seen in the video below, Griswold neglects to secure his ladder on a study surface or enlist a helper to keep the ladder steady; two holiday decorating no-nos. If you want to hang lights in your trees or on the roof, you’re going to need a dependable ladder to reach these heights and get down safely. If you fall or injure yourself halfway through the installation, you’re going to have more problems than just a half-lit house.

If you want to have the best lights on the block, then you should go with LED lights. Not only do LED lights burn brighter and cost less, but they also use less energy and last longer than standard Christmas bulbs. This cost difference matters when you’re hanging a thousand or more strands of lights and trying to design the brightest show on the street. When you do make the switch to LED, donate your old incandescent Christmas lights to a recycling program or charity in need.